Method of energizing wireless sensors in an automated tool and associated apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring operation of an automated tool comprisingpositioning in close proximity to said automated tool at least one wireless sensor,energizing said wireless sensor by inducing current in an electrical conductor through relative movement between said electrical conductor and a magnetic field,monitoring at least one condition of said automated tool by said sensor,emitting signals containing sensor information in space to a microprocessor only if said at least one condition departs from a desired threshold value, andprocessing said sensor information in said microprocessor.
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Abstract
A method of monitoring operation of an automated tool includes positioning a wireless sensor or microelectromechanical system device having at least one sensor in close proximity to the automated tool, monitoring at least one condition of the automated tool, emitting signals containing sensor information in space to a processor which processes the sensor information and in the event the processor determines that the automated tool has departed from desired conditions issues a responsive signal. In one embodiment digital signals are transmitted from the sensor to the processor employing an RF carrier. Microprocessor responsive signals may be employed to initiate corrective action and initiate alarms as well as providing data. Corresponding apparatus for monitoring an automated tool is provided. In another embodiment of the invention, the sensor is energized remotely through energy transmitted in space such as RF energy. In a further embodiment of the invention, a wireless, self-powered energy harvesting sensor is operatively associated with the automated tool and responsive to motion of the tool, establishes movement of an electrical conductor within a magnetic field to induce current in the conductor which is electrically connected to the sensors to energize the same.
19 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring operation of an automated tool comprising
positioning in close proximity to said automated tool at least one wireless sensor, energizing said wireless sensor by inducing current in an electrical conductor through relative movement between said electrical conductor and a magnetic field, monitoring at least one condition of said automated tool by said sensor, emitting signals containing sensor information in space to a microprocessor only if said at least one condition departs from a desired threshold value, and processing said sensor information in said microprocessor.
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16. Apparatus for monitoring operation of an automated tool comprising
an automated tool, at least one wireless sensor for monitoring a condition of said automated tool and emitting signals through space only it a monitored condition departs from a desired threshold value, said sensor being a wireless sensor having an electrical conductor mounted for relative movement with respect to a magnetic field such that relative movement therebetween will induce electrical current in said electrical conductor for energizing said sensor, and a microprocessor for receiving said sensor signals and determining the departure from a desired characteristic exists and, if so, emitting a responsive signal.
Specification